Life of a Marine Technician Aboard the R/V Lake Guardian: Ready and Go

Where we dock in Milwaukee

City of Milwaukee from the Breakwater

After a brief 2 weeks after moving into the apartment, getting settled and used to the 50 minute commute (a smooth 50), it was time to start the surveying season. On the boat, we used these weeks to wrap up our self-designed benthic sled and set up the scientific equipment for sampling. There were a few minor snags at first, but in the end everything seemed in working order. Scientists arrived and on April 1st we cast off from Milwaukee and began the month long spring survey of the 5 Great Lakes.

The Mackinac Bridge

We soon found out that one of our instruments, the Turner C3, used for sampling fossil fuel concentrations and other organic matter was full of errors and needed to be sent away for fixing. No matter, the cruise went on. Lake Michigan flew by and soon we were in Huron.

Alpena, MI and the Mississauga

Huron forced us into the Port of Alpena for a night, where the crew were able to scout were we would be spending 4th of July week later in the year. A small town with empty streets, it seemed primed for summer tourists to waste their money on local trinkets. Soon we were out on Huron again and through to Detroit, where we stayed overnight for a crew change.

Canadian side of the Detroit River

Moonrise over the Detroit River

Downbound Flight Locks of the Welland Canal

Erie came and went and then (after a brief mechanical issue with the Welland entrance) we flew through the Welland Canal and immediately dove into Fort Niagara to dodge oncoming weather for these current couple of days. Here at Fort Niagara they have a Fort Knox (for those in the know) type setup and it was a nice way to kill an afternoon. I am eager to get back underway, for after Ontario and Superior, home awaits. Next stop, Rochester.